bone marrow transplantation
The St. Francis Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) program is the first and only of
its
kind in the area and offers Upstate cancer patients and their families a leading-edge
option close to home.The program, accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) since 2001, provides blood and bone marrow transplantation – the preferred
treatment for several types of cancers, including acute and chronic leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.
Bone marrow transplantation involves harvesting stem cells from either the patient or a donor, treating
the patient with chemotherapy and sometimes radiation before infusing the collected
stem cells into the patient. The stem cells make their way to the center of the
bones, where they begin to grow into new blood cells, which can take from two
to four weeks.
St. Francis offers both autologous transplants, which use the patient's own stem
cells, and allogeneic-related transplants that use stem cells from a patient's
relative.
The BMT rooms at St. Francis are equipped with state-of-the-art air filtration
systems and many other immune system safeguards for patients undergoing the intense
transplantation process. Through the support of the St. Francis Foundation,patient rooms are furnished with home-like touches,such as laptop computers
and comfortable furnishings, to help ease the strain of an extended hospital
stay.
For more information, please call 864-255-1591.
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has been a leader in the treatment of blood
malignancies in South Carolina for almost a decade. And as treatments have grown
and changed, so have we. Recognizing the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program accomplishments
to date and the need for comprehensive treatment of hematological malignancies,
St. Francis has expanded its vision to include a Center of Excellence
for Hematological Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation that excels not only
in technology and medical care, but in compassion and comfort.
future of the BMT program
So that we can continue to provide the high level of care our patients deserve, the St. Francis Foundation has embarked on a capital campaign to expand the Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Center into a Center of Excellence for Hematological Malignancies and Stem Cell Transplantation. Expanding in facility as well as capabilities, we will be able to offer comprehensive treatment for a larger range of hematological malignancies, including Myeloma, Lymphoma, Leukemia and the growing area of Myelodysplasia.
The treatments for these cancers are extremely complex, requiring advanced clinical skills, and they are not currently well serviced in the community, often forcing local patients to go out of state, if not farther, for treatment. By increasing our capacity from 4 to 9 dedicated patient rooms, with 29 rooms on the entire floor, we will be more able to take local referrals and treat patients close to home and provide the support that is so necessary during a very difficult treatment. Combining state-of-the-art nursing and technology, the Center would be equivalent to any other institution specialized in these malignancies in the country.
Learn more about the campaign >>
